So our new puppy came home on Thursday night, which is sooo exciting! I want so badly to do everything right (or at least as right as possible), and I'm trying really hard to start exposing him to things we'll need to do for him.

One of the scariest things for me, though, is nail clipping. Our groomer did it for our last mini poodle, but I want to learn to do our new puppy myself. I think I'd like to use a Dremel tool, and have a small one here with 2 speeds (it's not specifically for pets). The lowest speed is 15,000 rpm. I haven't tried it on the puppy yet but am scared to death that I'm going to do something that hurts him and scars us both (emotionally and/or physically) for life. My question is, is this lowest speed about right? Is it too slow? Or, what I'm more afraid of, too fast? I'm not averse to buying a different one, but I already have this one and don't want to waste money on something I don't need. Any feedback is appreciated!

The speed isn't the issue. It's how you expose the dog to it. start by turning the dremel on when you are doing something the pup likes (eating, playing with a toy, etc). Don't make a big deal about it, just turn it on, count to 5 turn it off.
If your pup does not care, start by securely holding pup and turning dremel on. If puppy squirms, leave dremel on but lay it down safely. Calm puppy, then pick up dremel back up. Don't try to dremel nails immediately, use the back side of the dremel to let the puppy feel the vibrations on his feet. Do this until the puppy doesn't care any more. Then you can turn the dremel around and start dremeling the nails.

~>Keep in mind that the vibration tickles.
~>Keep coat away from Dremel! One way to do this if the feet are not clipped is to grab an old pair of panty hose. It will hold the hair safely back while letting the nails pop through.
~>Praise good behaviour and ignore bad.

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Thanks PooDoo Fashionista and Ms Stella! That's great advice, and a great website. I'll try the 15,000 rpm tool and introduce it gradually, and be really careful about whether it gets too hot or not. I always feel better having a plan! Later this morning we'll bring out the Dreme for the first time.

One last thing to watch - keep a sharp eye on longish hair (the dog's and yours) around the Dremel. It'll get caught and ripped right out if you're not careful. Also, holding the toenail firmly in your fingers near the base will help dampen the vibrations and should make it easier on your pup.

Word to the wise......best to get a cordless (easier to move around) and be sure to tie the poodle ears back, or put socks on them............I didn't once and well, live and learn. Luckily Sunny was ok.

It's not cordless but it's easy to hold (more so than most cordless) and came with the attachement to set up on my table. I only use the sanding bands but I'm pretty happy with it. I had a hard time putting it together though..

This was great- I loved the suggestion of trimming the nail to a flat surface perpendicular to the ground instead of at an angle. I did it today after reading this and it worked very well. The nails appear significantly shorter than the way I had been doing it.

Word to the wise......best to get a cordless (easier to move around) and be sure to tie the poodle ears back, or put socks on them............I didn't once and well, live and learn. Luckily Sunny was ok.

I actually prefer the corded one...I had two cordless ones over the last few years and it seems after a few months it is never charged up when I want to use it...so I bought a corded one this time..its very much OVERKILL..as it is way too pawerful..but my dh can use it on his projects too :-) I love that I can use it anytime I want to...it is heavier and of course you have the cord but I think I like it better. I did spend more and got the lighter one of the corded ones..

About the hair...OH YES...watch that..I have caught it in Stella's ear hair once..it wrapped itself up into her hair in a split second..I also got it in Madonna's side hair once...lol Really watch the ears...when the dog puts their head down to sniff what you are doing...the ear hair can get caught easily.